Liverpool Weigh Double Move for Guehi and Leoni
Liverpool’s summer rebuild shows no signs of slowing, with defensive reinforcements next on the agenda for Arne Slot and the recruitment team. The Premier League champions have already secured Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, but a new centre-back remains a priority before the window closes.
Marc Guehi has emerged as the leading candidate. The Crystal Palace captain, now in the final year of his contract, is open to staying at Selhurst Park, but Liverpool have reportedly stepped up their pursuit and opened talks with Palace. Guehi’s arrival would create direct competition for Ibrahima Konate alongside Virgil van Dijk, while Joe Gomez would likely settle as fourth-choice in the pecking order.
Leoni Interest Adds Depth to Plans
Parma’s 18-year-old talent Giovanni Leoni is also firmly in Liverpool’s sights. Seen as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders, the Italian could arrive alongside Guehi in a statement of intent for both the present and future.
However, the Reds may not be in a rush to integrate Leoni immediately. As the Express highlight, “Liverpool could look to take a leaf out of Arsenal’s book by trying to negotiate a deal with Parma which would see Leoni loaned back to the Italian outfit. With four centre-backs – if Guehi arrives – on their books and Wataru Endo capable as a makeshift defender, the Reds may not be in any immediate need to integrate Leoni into their ranks.”
Loan-Back Approach Could Benefit All Parties
The Arsenal example is an instructive one. In 2019, the Gunners signed William Saliba from Saint-Etienne before loaning him back for a season, a move that eased the financial package and allowed the player to continue developing in familiar surroundings.
Liverpool could deploy a similar strategy, reducing Parma’s £34 million asking price while keeping the door open for Leoni’s growth in Serie A. Such an approach might also strengthen their hand against rival European clubs tracking the teenager.
Strategic Balancing of Present and Future
For Slot, Guehi would offer immediate Premier League experience and reliability. Leoni, meanwhile, could represent the next generation, a defender shaped by regular football before being brought into the Anfield environment. The combination would give Liverpool both short-term security and long-term promise.
The focus now shifts to negotiations. If Palace and Parma are willing to engage, Liverpool could conclude a defensive overhaul that sets them up for sustained success, blending proven quality with emerging talent.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
The prospect of signing both Guehi and Leoni feels like a perfect balance of ambition and planning. Guehi’s Premier League track record makes him an ideal addition to fit straight into Arne Slot’s high-intensity system, while Leoni’s potential is clear to see.
The reported idea of loaning Leoni back to Parma makes complete sense. Centre-back is not currently a position of crisis, and forcing a teenager into the first team before he is ready could be counterproductive. Letting him develop in Serie A, away from the immediate glare of the Premier League, would be a smart move.
Supporters have long admired the club’s ability to plan for the future without neglecting the present. With Van Dijk still commanding the back line and Konate at his peak years, adding Guehi would ensure stability for the next few seasons. Leoni could then emerge just as the squad transitions into its next era.
If Liverpool pull this off, it will underline their intent to remain dominant at home and competitive in Europe for years to come.
